Dhaka donates over Tk 4.3cr for cyclone shelters in Rakhine
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
As part of pledged humanitarian assistance, Bangladesh has donated US$ 5,30,000 (over Tk 4.3 crore) for the construction of two/three multi-purpose cyclone shelters in Rakhine state of Myanmar.
Ambassador to Myanmar Sufiur Rahman formally handed over a cheque of this amount to Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Win Myat Aye in Nay Pyi Taw in a simple ceremony, according to a press release issued by the embassy in Yangon yesterday.
The Myanmar minister handed over a letter of acknowledgement to the Bangladesh envoy.
The Myanmar Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will coordinate with the Rakhine State government and concerned authorities for the construction of the cyclone shelters expectedly by the end of 2018, adhering to Myanmars building code and specifications, rules and regulations.
The cyclone shelters will be built taking into consideration models of multi-purpose shelters that evolved in Bangladesh over decades and are globally acclaimed.
It is hoped that these shelters will reduce vulnerability of the people of Rakhine from cyclones and tidal bores.
Bangladesh is also going to donate three ambulances equipped with modern medical features to the Rakhine state soon.
The embassy has also been coordinating with the authorities of both the countries on supplying Solar Home System (SHS) in off-grid areas of the Rakhine and Chin states in Myanmar.
The humanitarian assistance is a reflection of the commitment of Bangladesh to contribute to the development and economic recovery of the Rakhine state and well-being of its people.
